She smiles, and seeing her happy makes me wonder if I’ll be able to keep my promise to Annabeth after all.
Eleven
Jolie
I stare at the boutique that’s larger than the trailer I grew up in as we stand outside of the truck. It’s a farmer chic-type of building, and the name of the shop is in modern handwriting that says, ‘California Love.’ The beams are painted white along with the letters that make the name of the store. The board behind the letters are painted black and the windows are almost floor-to-ceiling with white trim along the edges. The door is painted a bright red, bringing a pop of color to the simplicity and elegance of the store.
And here I am wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. I’m underdressed. I can’t walk into a store like that looking like this.
“If you pull out that wheelchair, Jaxon, I’ll kill you in your sleep by slicing your throat and watching you choke on your own blood.” Quinn’s warning is the epitome of a death threat, and gravel laces her throat as she speaks.
“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” Jaxon teases, wrapping his arms around Quinn’s waist. “I just want you to be comfortable. The doctor said to take it easy. If you think you’ll be okay, then I’ll leave the chair. If you’re being stubborn and proud, I’m going to spank that ass red later.”
I blush as I watch Jaxon back Quinn against the car and kiss her senseless. I wonder what that is like, to be wanted with so much disregard for the outside world that everything else fades away. You’re lost in each other, the love, the lips, the … everything.
How addicting that must be.
His hand cups her stomach as their tongues intertwine.
Owen’s hand blocks my eyes, and I grin from him treating me like an innocent virgin. I’m far from a virgin, but unfortunately, I am innocent and naïve. I’ve only experienced hate.
“Get the chair,” she says breathlessly, chest rising and falling with the spell of lust Jaxon has cast over her.
“That’s what I thought,” Jaxon purrs, giving her one last kiss before opening the truck bed again.
Gabriella, Sebastian, Finley, Grayson, and Heaven walk across the freshly paved street. They pause as a car passes, not slowing down and nearly hitting them. The car honks a horn, and Grayson flips the guy in the car off.
“Hey, we’re walking here, asshole!” Grayson shouts, and Sebastian takes a picture of the guy’s license plate. With the look on their faces, I’m going to assume this encounter isn’t over.
The group makes it safely across the street while me, Owen, Quinn, and Jaxon are still on the other side of it.
“We’ll meet you there,” Owen says to Jaxon, who is pushing a relieved Quinn in the wheelchair. Her hands are on her belly, and she blows out a breath that puffs her cheeks. She looks relieved to be sitting down.
“Yeah, no problem.” Jaxon looks left and right, double checking to make sure no cars are coming so he and his pregnant wife are safe.
After they get far enough away, Owen’s hand lands on my shoulder and spins me toward him. “What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
“Honestly?” I kick the ground and a pebble rolls under the truck. “That I’m not meant to shop here. Look at me and what I’m wearing. I’m a mess, and this store is for people—”
“Is for everyone,” he corrects me. “Remember what we talked about?”
“I know. I’m just…” I shake my hands out by my sides and try to relax. There are a few people on either end of the strip mall, trying to go in and out of different shops, but they’re all closed for us. What if they get mad when they see us enter and try to harm us?
I’m breathing fresh air, the smell of autumn and a hint of cold weather lingers. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I look around. It’s probably nothing, just my paranoia. All I see are a few Mom and Pop shops and a restaurant.
The Lighthouse Grill. I recognize the name. I saw Grayson with a bag of food last night, and Owen said it was Grayson’s favorite place to eat.
“I’m anxious. The sun is bright, and there are people around. I’m nervous.” I wring my hands together like I’m squeezing out a wet rag. A greyhound is running after a rabbit in my heart. The damn thing is practically trying to beat out of my chest. “I don’t know if I can go in there, Owen. I don’t know. I’m… I know I’m out in the open, and I’m free, but it’s—”
“A lot. It’s happening all at once,” he says, finishing my sentence for the second time.
“Yeah. It’s dumb. It shouldn’t be. I’m so used to being alone. I’ve hoped to be around others, and now I am. I’m so afraid one of them are going to...” I twist my fingers together until I feel a small amount of pain, the bone threatening to break.
“I know, but I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I’m not going to let anyone take you. Think of me as your bodyguard, Jolie. The store is closed for us, remember? It’s just us. No other people.”
No other people.
I repeat his words in my head and close my eyes, taking meditating breaths to try to get my skin to stop prickling. My paranoia is making me sick. I’m fine. My captor is dead. Owen saved me. I’m with people I can trust.